Concerns have been raised by consultants relating to the rising temperatures in Fethiye Bay, exacerbated by air pollution ranges from overcrowded boats and the discharge of wastewater throughout peak seasons of tourism. Urgent measures have been urged to alleviate the mounting strain and safeguard the fragile ecosystem.
Zafer Kızılkaya, chairperson of the board of the Mediterranean Conservation Association, emphasised that there are two main sources of air pollution within the Gulf of Fethiye. The first entails home wastewater from the district’s streams and the introduction of fertilizer, phosphate, nitrogen and pesticides by irrigation waters from fields and greenhouses. These elements contribute to turbid water, significantly noticeable in the course of the summer time months, inflicting an entire transformation of the ecosystem, particularly from the coast to Katrancı Island.
The second issue of air pollution stems from the boats that frequent the area in the course of the summer time season. Kızılkaya defined, “Since these boats remain stationary, they do not come ashore to dispose of their wastewater.” The accumulation of sediment on the seabed, coupled with the adversarial results on seagrass meadows and marine life, worsens the state of affairs. The boat anchors additionally disturb the sediment, dispersing the pollution, leading to a persistent and extreme air pollution load within the inside a part of the bay, extending as much as Hamam Bay.
Professor Barış Salihoğlu, director of the Middle East Technical University Marine Sciences Institute, highlighted their findings, which point out that Fethiye Bay ranks among the many most polluted areas in each the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, second solely to Mersin Bay. He expressed shock at this revelation, on condition that air pollution tends to lower westwards because of the sea’s bodily traits. Salihoğlu confused the vulnerability of Fethiye Bay, the place the deep cold-water upwelling mechanism is absent, making it a delicate and fragile space.
The majority of air pollution inputs within the area are attributed to tourism-related actions, Salihoğlu defined, including: “There is also significant pressure from rising temperatures on this pollution. Fethiye Bay’s closed structure, lacking the influx of cold deep waters to the surface, necessitates careful consideration of the impact of climate change. The ecosystem there is fragile, and these two pressures converge. The density of ships and yachts exceeds the bay’s capacity. We have observed a substantial increase in pollution during the spring and summer months, known as the high season. The area cannot self-cleanse, endangering valuable seabed ecosystems, seagrass meadows and biodiversity.”
Professor Lale Balas, director of Gazi University’s Marine and Aquatic Sciences Application and Research Center, recognized urbanization, inhabitants progress, and agriculture as the first causes of air pollution in Fethiye Bay. Balas highlighted the affect of terrestrial pollution, which accumulate in coastal waters as diffuse masses following heavy rains. She emphasised the presence of channels and drainage methods that circulation into the bay, with the Mut Stream, connecting to probably the most enclosed water part, serving as a major coastal air pollution supply.
Balas famous that the area’s inhabitants progress has led to elevated wastewater circulation charges, overwhelming the insufficient therapy amenities – a standard difficulty in areas experiencing a surge in inhabitants as a consequence of tourism. Reducing the distributed and level masses is essential to rectify the state of affairs, as Balas acknowledged: “Fethiye Bay lacks the hydrodynamics necessary for self-cleansing. Immediate adoption of sound agricultural practices and identification of terrestrial pollutants is essential.”
The deteriorating situation of Fethiye Bay calls for immediate motion to protect its fragile ecosystem and shield towards additional environmental degradation. Stakeholders and authorities should collaborate to implement sustainable practices and stringent rules have to be enforced to make sure the bay’s long-term well being and vitality.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
